Pantai Nihiwatu's existence is based on a famous local legend.
Origins of the Marapu people
The people living in the districts of Rua and Lamboya, in West Sumba, believe that long ago, before mankind, some of the original Marapu that descended to earth eventually settled on the beach at Nihiwatu.
On their journey they brought with them Sirih Pinang and Beetle Nut, a potent mix that most Sumbanese still use on a daily basis. Upon arriving they realized that they had forgotten to bring along the mortar that they use for mashing the Sirih Pinang and Beetle Nut before mixing it with the lime powder that is needed to release the alkaloids from the Sirih bean.
The stone of Nghihi Watu
They decided to mix their concoction on a large boulder that was on the beach in front of the forest they settled in. Over time this boulder developed a cylindrical tube in it from the constant pounding of their pestle.
The stone became known as the Nghihi (mortar) Watu (stone) and it still stands in front of the forest where the Marapu are believed to have lived.
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Places near Pantai Nihiwatu
- Pantai Marosi 7 kilometers away
- Tambolaka 42 kilometers away
- Sumba 81 kilometers away
- Komodo Island 134 kilometers away
- Flores 231 kilometers away
- Moyo Island 264 kilometers away
- Mount Rinjani 355 kilometers away
- Lombok 356 kilometers away
- Medana Bay 390 kilometers away
- Senggigi 392 kilometers away
- Sire Beach 393 kilometers away
- The Gili Islands 398 kilometers away
- Candidasa 442 kilometers away
- Lembongan Island 449 kilometers away
- Sanur 469 kilometers away
- Tembok 470 kilometers away
- Ubud 474 kilometers away
- Bukit Peninsula 475 kilometers away
- Jimbaran 476 kilometers away
- Seminyak 480 kilometers away